fast-twitch

adjective

ˈfas(t)-ˌtwich

: of, relating to, or being muscle fiber that contracts quickly especially during brief high-intensity physical activity requiring strength compare slow-twitch

Examples of fast-twitch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web DeSantis was essentially talking about two leagues, and how the mostly Black one, the NBA, is full of freaky athletes with fast-twitch muscles and apparently not as democratic or meritocratic or whatever-cratic as baseball players. —

Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 22 June 2023 Finally, muscles that have a higher proportion of fast-twitch to slow-twitch fibers strain more readily. —

Nicole Wetsman, Popular Science, 24 May 2023 Anaerobic workouts, which use fast-twitch muscles, are better at stimulating EPOC, WH reported. —

Ashley Mateo, Women's Health, 20 June 2023 And careers are short anyway: Teenagers — with their fast-twitch reflexes — dominate. —

Hisako Ueno, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fast-twitch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1958, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of fast-twitch was in 1958

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Fast-twitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-twitch. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

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Medical Definition

fast-twitch

adjective

ˌfas(t)-ˌtwich

: of, relating to, or being muscle fiber that contracts quickly especially during brief high-intensity physical activity requiring strength compare slow-twitch